Complaints Appeals and Whistleblowing
Complaints
If you want to make a complaint we have a procedure for you to use. The procedure explains what you can and cannot complaint about. The complaints procedure is a staged procedure being the most appropriate way to settle complaints as quickly and efficiently as possible. Under the procedure, you may be able to take an unresolved compliant to an Independent Complaints Review (ICR) service, depending on the nature of the complaint. The ICR does not have the authority to make funding decisions. You cannot appeal and complain on the same issue. It is expected that your compliant is about an issue in, or your relations with, UK Sport that has been raised with us.
Making a complaint
Appeals
If you are an NGB or Athlete and want to formally appeal how UK Sport arrived at a decision, we have a procedure for you to use.
The procedure covers Appeals against the decision making process behind specific UK Sport decisions and therefore is not an Appeal against the decision itself.
The areas broadly cover two areas, funding decisions relating to NGBs, Major Events and Athletes and recognition decisions relating to NGBs.
Appeals are heard by a separate Appeals Panel. The Appeals Panel does not have the authority to make funding decisions but its decisions are binding.
This document explains the procedure and sets out UK Sport’s Rules of Appeal.
The process is administered by Sports Resolutions (UK) who provide independent dispute resolution services for sport in the UK.
Further information can be found on the Sport Resolutions (UK) website.
Whistleblowing
If you have a concern about UK Sport members of staff, panel or board member’s conduct on matters concerning suspected fraud, corruption or bribery whilst carrying out UK Sport business, or, if you wish to report any an incident of illegal or wrongful conduct by UK Sport members of staff, panel or board member’s then you can notify:
a. If it involves a member of staff then write to the Chief Executive Officer at Ground Floor 21 Bloomsbury Street, London, WC1B 3HF marking the envelope private & confidential.
b. If it involves the Chief Executive, a Board or Panel Member then write to the Chair at Ground Floor 21 Bloomsbury Street, London, WC1B 3HF marking the envelope private & confidential.
c. If the matter involves the Chair then write to the Minister of Sport, Tourism & Equalities at the Department of Culture Media & Sport, 4th Floor, 100 Parliament Street, London SW1A 2BQ marking the envelope private & confidential.
d. Alternatively depending on the nature of the concern you may notify a regulator or investigator such as:
All notifications and subsequent internal investigations will be conducted professionally, ethically and with discretion. UK Sport will endeavour to protect confidentiality whilst any internal investigation is being completed.
Please do not use this process if you have a complaint all information regarding complaints is set out above.
Please note UK Sport is not a regulator of sport or prescribed regulator for whistleblowing purposes under the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998. It does not have powers of investigation in internal sporting disputes or the affairs of sports governing bodies.